This Commerce Life
Phil Chang / Kenny Vannucci
A Canadian Podcast, focused on Canadian brands, determined to talk about Canadian success stories.
We are retail educators and experts, teaching Canadian businesses how to build, grow, and scale in retail. As industry connectors, Kenny & Phil bring decades of experience as buyers, sales strategists, and marketers into delivering practical, actionable education grounded in real-world application.
We are retail educators and experts, teaching Canadian businesses how to build, grow, and scale in retail. As industry connectors, Kenny & Phil bring decades of experience as buyers, sales strategists, and marketers into delivering practical, actionable education grounded in real-world application.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 14, 2023 • 1h 13min
They could have bought a McDonald's in 1976, but his dad and his brother chose to get into granola instead. Fast forward, Randy Sihota is still in the family business
They could have bought a McDonald's in 1976, but his dad and his brother chose to get into granola instead. Fast forward, Randy Sihota is still in the family business. He talks about the ups and downs of being in a family business, what it's like to figure out how to be independent yet connected to the family. Find Randy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-sihota-04593444/Find Nationwide Natural Foods: https://nationwidenaturalfoods.com/ This episode is sponsored by Field Agent Canada.Check them out at: fieldagentcanada.com/360 or email client@ca.fieldagent.net
Feb 7, 2023 • 1h 12min
It started because she wanted to get her mom her favorite chocolate bar and discovered it had been discontinued. Crystal Regehr Westergard talks about becoming a Heritage chocolate bar brand specialist.
She appeared on Dragon's Den. Got her chocolate bar listed at Sobey's based on the name alone. It all started because she wanted to get her mom her favorite chocolate bar and discovered it had been discontinued. Crystal Regehr Westergard talks about becoming a Heritage chocolate bar brand specialist. Find Crystal here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-regehr-westergard-11692948/ Find Cuban Lunch here: https://cubanlunch.ca/ Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring this episode. You can find Field Agent 360 Innovation Booster here: fieldagentcanada.com/360 or you can email them at client@ca.fieldagent.net
Jan 31, 2023 • 1h 12min
If you're celebrating a Dry January, this episode with Cristina and the knuckleheads talk about Lyre's and the growing non-alcoholic spirits segment. Cristina talks about her time growing up at J&J, and her journey to this new emerging category.
This one was burning a hole in our pocket. Cristina Bardorf comes on to talk Negroni, Lowgroni, (Low-Proof Negroni) If you're celebrating a Dry January, this episode with Cristina and the knuckleheads talk about Lyre's and the growing non-alcoholic spirits segment. Cristina talks about her time growing up at J&J, and her journey to this new emerging category. You can find Cristina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinabardorf/Shop Lyre's here: https://lyres.ca/
Jan 24, 2023 • 54min
He started as a bag boy at Save-On Foods. Kyle Leslie, President of Star Marketing talks about helping amazing brands
He started as a bag boy at Save-On Foods. He faxed his resume in for an advertising assistant, and next thing you know, Kyle Leslie has spent a lifetime in retail. Today, he's the President of Star Marketing Ltd. Check out Star Marketing here: https://starmarketingcanada.com/Find Kyle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-leslie-45b17b21/
Jan 17, 2023 • 51min
He'd never farmed before. When he had the opportunity to buy Alvin Filsinger's farm, he jumped at it. Filsinger's is named for it's founder Alvin Filsinger - one of the first six organic farms in Canada
One of the first six organic farms in Canada - Filsinger's is named for it's founder Alvin Filsinger. When he decided to sell, Shaun Becker and his cousin decided to buy the place, with no experience in farming or making ciders or vinegars. Check out Filsinger's here: http://www.filsingersorganic.com/Find Shaun here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-becker-56935295/
Jan 10, 2023 • 57min
Gage Mitchell on, he runs Modern Species - he helps impact-driven CPG brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community.
We talk about the gift of time. This podcast was recorded before Christmas, but the conversation around "time" is definitely relevant. If anyone has solved the mystery - hit us up - we'd love to hear it. But really, we had Gage Mitchell on, he runs Modern Species - he helps impact-driven CPG brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community. Check out Modern Species here: https://modernspecies.com/Contact Gage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
Jan 3, 2023 • 37min
Just the Knuckleheads today. We talk about what we want out of the podcast this year, what to expect from the podcast this year. We also do something we don't do well - we ask for what we want.
Just the Knuckleheads today. We talk about what we want out of the podcast this year, what to expect from the podcast this year. We also do something we don't do well - we ask for what we want.
Dec 27, 2022 • 58min
Making farming cool again. First timers on the podcast, Avi and Binny talk about Good Karma Farming from the Okanagan. One is a pharmacist and the other an engineer, but wind up taking over Avi's parents' farm
First timers on the podcast, Avi and Binny talk about Good Karma Farming from the Okanagan. One is a pharmacist and the other an engineer, but wind up taking over Avi's parents' farm. They talk about learning the business, becoming part of a family business, and how they look to evolve the business. They've recently won BC Food & Beverage Silver Product of the Year Award for their Pear Soda. Check out Farming Karma here: https://www.farmingkarma.ca/good-karma/
Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 3min
She started her retail journey starts at 7 in Shakespeare Ontario.
She might be the missing link on our podcast. Simona Irwin, Managing Director of Uprising Naturals started her retail journey starts at 7 in Shakespeare Ontario. We've had Simona on a #fastthoughts already and we were glad to hear her story finally. To contact Simona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonairwin/To contact Uprising Naturals: https://www.uprisingnaturals.com/
Dec 13, 2022 • 59min
Creating an Answer Where None Exists: A Hopeful Story - CEO of Kidstar, Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe
She pretty much grew up in the industry and didn't know that there was anything else in the world.From listening to her mom on early morning radio shows and helping to pack boxes from a young age, she's got retail in her blood. Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe, President and CEO at Kidstar Nutrients dishes on growing up in a retail family, and her own search for a solution, not finding one, and building one. You can find Caitlyn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-vanderhaeghe-134486101/Shop Kidstar here: https://kidstarnutrients.com/
